{"id":65,"date":"2021-06-15T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-14T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogit.metropolia.fi\/variousvariables\/2021\/06\/15\/find-your-way-to-become-a-finnish-speaker\/"},"modified":"2024-10-01T12:39:25","modified_gmt":"2024-10-01T09:39:25","slug":"find-your-way-to-become-a-finnish-speaker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogit.metropolia.fi\/variousvariables\/2021\/06\/15\/find-your-way-to-become-a-finnish-speaker\/","title":{"rendered":"Find your way to become a Finnish speaker"},"content":{"rendered":"

According to the interesting Expat Insider 2021<\/a> survey (3), Finland is in the top 5 for quality of life, but even 50 % of expats are pessimistic about the local career opportunities. Surprising? Despite possibilities to communicate in English (75% of respondents agree that you can get by without speaking the local language), it is considered hard to get used to the local culture and make local friends. Also, even 71% struggle with learning the local language (vs. 42% globally).<\/p>\n

Good reasons to\u00a0invest in\u00a0language\u00a0learning?<\/h2>\n

Finnish\u00a0workplaces\u00a0are\u00a0getting more and more international,\u00a0but knowledge of the local language is still required\u00a0in most\u00a0organisations,\u00a0for both\u00a0finding employment and advancing in a career\u00a0(2).\u00a0Even if the working language\u00a0is\u00a0English, Finnish\u00a0is often used\u00a0in various communication situations\u00a0(4).<\/p>\n

Requirements related to language skills\u00a0naturally\u00a0vary depending on the job description and the industry. According to a survey<\/a> by the Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce (2), already the\u00a0beginners\u2019\u00a0level\u00a0A1\u00a0is\u00a0of advantage to get at least\u00a0an\u00a0internship.\u00a0The intermediate level B1 enhances\u00a0remarkably\u00a0the\u00a0chances to get\u00a0at least\u00a0an\u00a0internship\u00a0(enough for\u00a065% of the companies).\u00a0Most of the companies (about\u00a065%) require at least the\u00a0independent\u00a0level B2\u00a0in skilled worker positions\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0advanced level C1-C2 in expert and management positions.<\/p>\n

On the whole,\u00a0knowledge of\u00a0the\u00a0local language\u00a0provides\u00a0many benefits<\/strong>. Already presenting yourself, having simple small talk and understanding main points in everyday conversations make you feel more connected to the language community. By using the local language you show your interest and commitment in an efficient and convincing way. Language skills widen your career opportunities to the public sector, smaller local companies and entrepreneurship. At the same time, language skills increase your sense of control and well-being by enabling you to follow the information flow in your everyday living environment (4,6).<\/p>\n

Identify the motivating language learning strategies<\/h2>\n

Are you one of those struggling with learning Finnish? If yes, you are not the only one! The structure and vocabulary do differ a lot from at least the Indo-European languages. Nevertheless, to learn any new language, you have to be exposed to it (a lot), and work on it (a lot)<\/strong>. What you really need is to find and keep up your motivation. According to theories of functional language learning (1,7) the best way to learn the language is to integrate it into your everyday life in the ways that you like. There are lots of good language courses, books and online materials available, but the key is to recognise the opportunities to use the language and apply your skills in your environment.<\/p>\n

The super-talented language learner\u00a0Brasilian\u00a0Gustavo\u00a0(Brassinyymi<\/a>)\u00a0has\u00a0learned\u00a0Finnish with\u00a0the\u00a0help of Finnish metal music, Fred\u00a0Karlssons\u00a0Grammar\u00a0book\u00a0and\u00a0Uusi\u00a0kielemme<\/a> website. He listens to Yle news in Easy Finnis<\/a>h and chats in Omegle<\/a>. Of course not everybody has to be able to do the same, but there are methods for everyone to make language learning easier, faster and funnier.<\/p>\n

First, focus on what is relevant to you. Second, keep your eyes, ears and mouth open. You need to listen a lot, make observations – and imitate. Start using the language straight from the beginning. There is no need to be fluent before starting! Also, don\u2019t give up if the answer is in English (Finns are still very stubborn to switch into English instead of supporting Finnish language learning)! If you feel shy, you can speak first to your flowers or cats. After that, there is no limit for imagination.<\/p>\n

You can\u00a0search for other language learners and set up a language club,\u00a0find a language mate in\u00a0Lango<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0join\u00a0a\u00a0language cafe<\/a>. You can\u00a0join\u00a0a\u00a0Facebook\u00a0or a hobby group\u00a0that are of your interest,\u00a0watch films\u00a0e.g.\u00a0in\u00a0Yle\u00a0Kielikoulu<\/a> or listen to music, sing along and write the missing words (lyrics training<\/a>). In the learning process, instead of thinking about everything you cannot do, it is important to enjoy learning and feel good about all the situations you can already manage.<\/p>\n

After all…<\/h2>\n

Language skills requirements seem to be sometimes even unnecessarily high, but there are also some positive signals in sight. Employers seem to be more and more willing to support the language learning process at work (8). This indeed is highly recommendable: professional language skills related to specific work can only be acquired in real-life work environments (5). Finland and Finnish organisations must open themselves more to Finnish speakers who are not fluent.<\/p>\n

From another perspective, learning a new language is not connected only to concrete usefulness related to employment or career opportunities. Have you had the experience of really diving into the new language, starting to think directly through it? Have you felt the joy of becoming a member of a language speakers\u2019 group?\u00a0 Learning a new language not only opens doors to work opportunities, society and culture. It is an inspiring possibility to find new ways to be you and what you could be.<\/p>\n

We support you!<\/h2>\n

Metropolia\u00a0supports\u00a0your\u00a0Finnish language\u00a0learning in many ways.<\/p>\n